GREEN Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA GREEN COMMISSION MARCH 19, 2024 MINUTES Staff Report Present: David Quick, Chair, Susan Johnson, Andrea Martin, Lia Colabello, Rachel Honderd, Jim Westerhold, Olivia Flynn, Mary Conley. Absent: Angus MacBride. Staff: Christiane Farrell, Michele Reed, Brad Morrison, Liz Boyles, Chris Lubert, Kevin Mitchell, John Farrell, Julie Wright, Lynnette Lynes Also: Arielle Gerstein, Charleston County Sustainability Manager Mr. Quick called the meeting to order at 3:02 pm. A. Approval of Agenda Ms. Johnson moved for approval of the agenda. Ms. Honderd seconded the motion. All in favor. B. Approval of February Minutes Ms. Martin moved for approval of the minutes. Ms. Johnson seconded the motion. All in favor. C. Public Comment Mr. James McKee, 1247 Palmetto Peninsula Drive, and HOA board member, suggested that one way to implement the Commission goals would be to work with the HOAs in planting additional trees and plants to promote the environment, enhance the landscaping, and improve water quality. Mr. Filippo Ravalico, 1044 Wharf Indigo, spoke regarding septic tanks and suggested that more could be done to make sure septic tanks are properly maintained. He referenced a recent Post and Courier article on septic tanks and the problems surrounding them. He stated that the information on the Mr. John Iocafano, 388 Overseer, spoke regarding the plastic bag ordinance and suggested that the proposed changes are needed. He asked that more recyclable  GREEN Commission March 19, 2024 Page 2 of 3 materials should be considered as well as changing the culture regarding recyclable and reusable items. D. Tree Bank Grant Requests 1. Hunters Trace HOA Proposed Planting Plan Mr. Lubert reviewed the request with the Commission. Mr. Westerhold moved for approval including staff comments. Ms. Flynn seconded the motion. All in favor with Mr. Quick abstaining. 2. Hamlin Plantation POA Proposed Planting Plan Mr. Lubert reviewed the request with the Commission. Mr. Westerhold moved for approval including staff’s recommendations. Ms. Flynn seconded the motion. All in favor with Mr. Quick abstaining. 3. The Oaks at Marshview HOA Proposed Planting Plan Mr. Lubert reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Honderd moved for deferral. Ms. Johnson seconded the motion. All in favor. E. Commercial Environmental Guidelines Update—Environmental Guideline updates and additional incentives. Ms. Wright reviewed the updates with the Commission. The Commission discussed what additional incentives could be considered. Ms. Honderd moved for approval with the modifications as discussed. Ms. Colabello seconded the motion. All in favor.  GREEN Commission March 19, 2024 Page 3 of 3 F. Residential Environmental Guidelines Discussion—Ongoing Development of Residential LID Program. Discussion about Program Format. Mr. Farrell reviewed the guidelines with the Commission. The Commission discussed how the program could be structured and what incentives could be considered. Mr. Westerhold left at this time (3:49 pm). Ms. Honderd moved for approval. Ms. Flynn seconded the motion. All in favor. G. Charleston County Climate Action Plan—Presentation from Charleston County of recently adopted Climate Action Plan Charleston County Climate Action Plan Ms. Arielle Gerstein, Charleston County, reviewed the Climate Action Plan with the Commission. The Commission discussed some suggested actions that could be included in the Climate Action Plan. Ms. Honderd moved to recommend that the Climate Action Plan be placed on the Flood Resilience Committee agenda as a topic of discussion and possible support. Ms. Colabello seconded the motion. All in favor. H. Status Report—Brief update on past recommendations Ms. Boyles provided a brief update for the Commission. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:53 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes GREENComsn03192024